2 Corinthians 9:6  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:11 “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (NIV)

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Gratitude and generosity go hand in hand.

Gratitude recognizes God as the giver of all good things. Generosity is the act of passing along to those in need what God has placed in our hands. He takes good care of us and welcomes us into the blessing of blessing others.

Who does God bless most? Those who live the most generous lives.

Sometime later this month, you’re going to hear someone say, “I wish it could be Thanksgiving every day.” Every time I hear this, I wonder why it’s not. Why don’t people live with gratitude every day? Why don’t people share generously every day?

The more we understand the heart of God, the more we realize every good and perfect gift comes down from him. And there’s plenty more where that came from. Sharing does not impoverish God, and it doesn’t impoverish us. Helping others does not limit us.

God loves to fill open hands. Closed fists are much harder to bless. That’s probably a good thought to keep in mind on this Election Day.

How have you noticed that the most grateful people are also the most generous?

Our youngest granddaughter woke from her nap one day recently, and immediately required a snack. She likes snacks. I provided her with some of the healthy snacks her mother buys for her. She had a banana, and later, after snack time, she also had an apple. During snack time, she enjoyed some of the healthy snacks her mother provided, which looked a lot like ground-up nuts and twigs.

These healthy little cubes were a bit of a challenge for her to eat, and after she had gnawed on them for a while and got them good and moist, she offered them to me. I was grateful for the offer, and I might have pretended to eat one. Alas, her generous spirit was not matched by my cooperation in that moment.

That tiny tot and her older sister hosted a tea party here at our house some time back. They were extravagantly generous in sharing those cups of tea and insisted that her grandmother and I fully participate. We enjoyed that time gathered around the short table with watery tea and soggy snacks. How could you not smile and laugh all through moments like that? I was even grateful as we cleaned up water that traveled much farther than anyone would imagine possible.

My hope for those little ones, and for us big ones, is that we will always live with such generosity. My hope is that we will always live lives of gratitude. My hope is that we’ll always remember where all these good gifts come from and why God gives them to us.

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I will live a grateful and generous life.

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Our Father, as has been said and sung in so many ways, you are better to us than we would be to ourselves. Thank you for your extravagant generosity. May we live lives with an open hand, open to receiving your good gifts, and open to passing them along to those who need them. We live in one of the most blessed times in human history. Make us the biggest blessings anyone has ever seen. Amen.